Latch



1.636,069 July 19, 1927. I E. J. PERRY LATCH Filed Sept. 5, 1925 muve/whom Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE.

EMANUEL J YERRY, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T PERRY LAUN-DRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF FAIRHAVEN, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 7 OFMASSACHUSETTS.

LATCH.

Application filed September 5, 1925. Serial No. 54,706.

The invention relates to improvements in a latching device. and isprimarily adapted for use in connection with washing machines forrotating cylinders.

It is an object of the invention to provide a latch-having a bolt whichwill normally remain in an operative position, and one in which theelements are entirely housed in a casing so that the latch may becarried by a rotating part without danger of being injured.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a latch structurewith cfiicient means for urging the latch bolt into a locked positionand for retaining the'operating handle in a suitable housing when thelatch bolt is in such a position.

' In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 illustrates a view looking at the under side of the latch,

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a section on line 33of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4*4 of Fig. 1. Referring now moreparticularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatecorresponding parts, the numeral 1 designates a housing. This housing ispreferably composed of metal or the like. The housing 1 is formed with apair of separated elongated chambers 2 extending along each side thereofwith a suitable space 3 therebetween. The housing furthermore has integral lugs 4 projecting at right angles to the chambers 2 near theterminus of said chambers. Thechambers terminate short of the forwardend 5.0fthe housing which receives a suitable reciprocating latch bolt 7to be later described. The latch bolt 7 has a locking head 8 whichpasses through a slot in the forward end of the housing, the lowersurface ofthe head lying flush with the bottom walls of the housing. The

latch bolt is provided with an extension 9 disposed at right angles tothe head 8 at the upper end of which there projects lateral lugs 10lying in alinement with the chambers 2. Eachv lug carries a centeringpin 11 to receive a centering and coil sprin 12, one of these springsbeing disposed in the chambers 2 and servingto normally urge the latchbolt in a locked position, that is, in a osition in which the head 8 isprojected trom the housing. I These springs may be constructed of anydesired metal and each spring is preferably introduced to its chamer 2by providing in the housing at its rear ends openings 13 receivingremovable closures 14 threaded therethrough. Obviously, by removingthese'closures springs may be inserted in the chambers 2.

The latch furthermore has an elongated slidable bar 15 whichreciprocates in the guide-way 3 formed between the walls of the chambers2. This bar may be termed a rack bar inasmuch as it has, on its outerface, a series of teeth 16 which are engaged by an operating lever to belater described when the rack bar is to be moved to operate the latch.

J ournalled in the shoulders 4 of the housing and above the rack bar 15is an operating lever 17 mounted on suitable pivots 18 carrying a gearsegment 19 which is adapted to mesh with the gear teeth 16. The sprlngsdisposed within the chambers 2 serve to normally urge the latch boltforwardly. This movement is transmitted to the handle 17 by reason ofthe rack and pinion connection between this handle and the latch bar.Such movement normally holds the handle within the plane of the housingso that the handle will engage no obstructions though placed on amovable element. To release the latch bolt, however, it is onlynecessary to grasp the handle 17 and lift the same about its pivot 18from the housing, which movement shifts the latch rearwardly by reasonof the coacting gears 16 and 19. This rearward movement of course takesplace against the tension of the springs in the chambers 2, and theminute the handle 17 is released the springs again urge the latch boltforwardly.

Having thus described my invention, what I clai'n is:

l. .1 latching device comprising a housing, a pair of separated chamberstherein, a guideway between said chambers, springs disposed within saidchambers, a reciprocating bolt in said housing having a locking headnormally urged into an operative position by the springs in saidchambers, a

handle disposed in said housing, and a connection between said handleand said bolt for drawing the bolt to an inoperative position againstthe tension of said springs.

2. In a latch, the combination with a housing. of a pair of separatedlongitudinal chambers therein, a guideway between said chambers. a boltdisposed within said hous; ing and having a portion riding in saidguide-way. springs in said chambers coacting with said'bolt for urgingthe same forwardly, a handle pivotally mounted in said housing adjacentsaid bolt, and an operative connection between said handle and said boltfor retracting the bolt upon 'the operation of the handle.

3. In a latch. the combination with a housing, of a pair chamberstherein, a guideway between said chambers, a sliding latch bolt disposedwithin the housing and having a 15 teeth, an operating handle -pivotallycon- 20 nected to the housing, and a pinion on said handle cooperatingwith said teeth on said latchelement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EMANUEL J. PERRY.

